 they report into Tampa on Valentine's Day. We talked to the manager of the New York Yankees, Aaron Boone. He joins us right now on the show. Aaron, Michael, Don and Peter, how you doing? I'm doing well. Sorry. This is not a landline, Michael, but we're just going to battle through with the old cell phone. So I was talking to Aaron earlier. I said, well, I'll give you the line to call in. Maybe you want to call on the landline. And he acted like I said, do you have eight heads? He just he made fun of me. I mean, I have a landline at home. I do too. Yes. Peter does it. My Peter. No, I do not. I do not. Well, I have to, you know, for the security system. Yeah, you're in the business. Right. So it all starts for real on February 14th. How do you feel about your team? Nice broad question. How do you feel about your team coming into the season? I feel really good. You know, even being here today, you know, going into Hines are minorly complex, where, you know, I think you guys have talked about a lot. I mean, we just have so many guys here that have been here for, you know, everything from several days to several months. And a lot of our, you know, guys that are will be on the team. So I'm excited about the winners. A lot of guys have had, especially guys that have needed to have that really strong winner to set themselves up for success. Doesn't mean they're going to go out and have it, obviously, but I do feel like the handful of guys, man, that you kind of like this guy needs to be all over everything this winter. A lot of those boxes look like they've been checked. So I'm excited where we stand going in with a lot of guys. You know, there's always things that could be better, Aaron, but really the biggest stumbling block for your team has been health. It derailed the series against the Astros two years ago, certainly hurt you in your 82 and 80 season last season. As a manager, is it just hope everybody stays healthy? Is there anything you can do to try to make sure this team is as healthy as it can be through 162? Well, hopefully we're getting better and better, you know, not just us, but as an industry of how do we keep guys more and more healthy or something that, you know, teams pour a ton of resources in to try and to get better and better at that. So I do feel like, you know, part of that is, you know, that a lot of that health starts in the winter and what kind of, you know, winter routine that guys have, you know, especially from the pitching front, like, you know, what they're throwing program and training looks like so that they come into spring and their buildups proper, you know, certain guys and, you know, trying to be at the right size and shapes and all that. So that gives them the best chance to be successful. So we're constantly, I feel like learning and getting better at those kind of things. And, you know, I hope that we're going in with book inevitable. You're, even in the best of seasons, you're going to have some injuries, obviously, but hopefully we're going in with a strong foundation. I do feel like that's, that's the case as we sit here in early February anyway. So Aaron, I've made what, you know, you might consider an insignificant list, but I say the top four things, you know, variables that you have to go right for the Yankees. Number one for me is Carlos Rodin. Number two is Nesta Cortez. Number three is DJ being the second half DJ, not the first. And then a distant fourth would be Stanton because I think the way you guys have built this team, you could actually absorb if Stanton does get hurt because you've got a lot of bats and you've got a lot of maneuverability. So let's start at my top two. I look at them as important because if they, if they pitch the way they've pitched in the past and not last year, I think your staff is as good as any staff. So what are your thoughts on Rodin and Cortez? Well, those are two of those guys when I talk about, I feel like they've had the winners they've needed to have, check on those two. You know, Carlos obviously just being behind the eight ball with us last year with, you know, two fairly minor injuries, but one happened. And then as he was coming back, the second setback with the, you know, back issue he had, so it just delayed him and he was just playing catch up all year and that didn't get off on a great foot and obviously it ended up not having a great year. He has had a great winner. He's done everything, you know, I think physically he's needed to do to put his body in a good place. He's a, he's a different guy when you watch him throw right now. So he's already throwing live BP now, but in his, in his catch play and his bullpens that he was when we got him last year at the start of spring training. It's, it's night and day. So that's encouraging. As far as Nestor goes, you know, Nestor, I think, you know, had a scare with, you know, having a, having a shoulder issue. You know, this guy that's had success in his young career and really starting to establish himself, made an all-star team. You know, I think the shoulder situation, I think, you know, put a little fear like, Hey man, I need to do everything I possibly can from a training, nutrition, throwing programs. So he was just like, you know, really, really a model, model player this winter as far as just making sure he was tracking everything properly. He looks really good. He feels really good. He's, he's throwing, he looks like Nestor when he gets on the mound for his live BP now. And there's no, there's no hindrance to what he's doing. So those two things are very encouraging right there. DJ, he's been down here for over a month. And I would agree with you on the DJ for us, just being such a key because if DJ is DJ and that guy that gets on a ton, then it solves our leadoff situation. And then I feel great about our offense behind that. And however, you know, I end up lining them up, but if DJ can solve that leadoff spot, you know, the majority of the time, the way he's capable, that's huge. And I think he's in a great spot. He looks really good. He's, you know, I think he's been able to train at a higher level this winter physically because he's, he's over the, you know, the tone and just the feet issue that kind of held them back a little bit. And he looks really good. He's moving well. So I'm excited there. Haven't seen G yet. He's not here yet. But I know he's seen the pictures on, you've seen the pictures on social though. Probably feel lighter guy. Yeah, I talked to him last probably about a week or 10 days ago. And I know he's ready to get here and excited. So excited about all those guys. I also think, well, why is it because a real key for us? Because he's when he when he's healthy and right, he's as good as any reliever. And it's just such a, he just is such a great bridge in our bullpen when he's going well. I think he's a real key. And I'm encouraged where he's as well. Marcus Strowman, great addition. If there's a negative, we know from what happened with the Mets, sometimes social media has not exactly been his friend. A, are you confident that's behind him and B, would you have a conversation with him on handle how to handle those situations with fans and media and the negativity that comes with that? You know, I'm confident that he's, you know, using both, you know, those platforms that in a much more positive, I shouldn't say much more positive, but in a positive way. And it's one of those things that, you know, I actually talked to our guys on the first day of spring training of, you know, social media is something you gotta, you gotta talk about and try and get a head up, you know, because, you know, it can get to be a bit of a toxic place for some guys. And, you know, if your identity and your identity as a player is wrapped up in, in, you know, social media comments, good, bad, and indifferent, you know, that's not a place you want to be. So one of my messages to our guys all the time is, you know, let social media serve, serve you, you know, it should be a place that if you want to, you know, promote something, or you're promoting charity stuff, or you're connecting with friends and family, or it's a great place to get information and tools, like those are the things, you know, I hope to have our guys focus on and not going down that rabbit hole, finding out how terrible or, or great you think you are. Talk with Aaron Boone, the Yankee manager, and we've been talking for 10 minutes, and it's incredible to me, Aaron, we haven't even brought up Juan Soto. I mean, do you ever sit back and go, we got Juan Soto. This is one of the best players in baseball history. I'm not just saying now, his numbers compare his first six years with Ted Williams. Have you wrapped your mind around the fact that, you know, when, when all the players show up, Juan Soto is going to be there. Yeah, yeah, I, I wrap my head around it every day, you know, and the, and the thought of him and Aaron hitting back to back in our lineup with, with what I think has the chance to be a really good supporting cat, you know, I think back to last year where it was the struggle for us offensively. And, and not only, you know, and again, I always preface this with, I understand we're in February, but I do feel like we have a chance to be great again on offense and obviously bringing a kind of like Soto and there's a bigger reason for that. All right. Where does he bat? Well, if, if, if DJ grabs that lead off spot, then, you know, likely in that two hole, but anywhere two or three, it just depends how that, that shakes out and then how the rest of why I'm so just try and create as much balance as I can, but somewhere two to three right now, I kind of, kind of envision them in the two hole. What's wrong with Aaron Boone? Just a brief respite from the Yankees. Adrian Wojcanski is reporting that OG Ananobi had surgery to remove a loose bone fragment in his right elbow and he's going to miss a minimum of three weeks sources tell woe. So that's not great news on a day that's been good for the, the Knicks that that's a tough loss because he's been such a great player for them. Another guy was a really good player for you guys, Aaron. I was Wandy Peralta. I was kind of surprised he didn't come back. How much of a loss is that? Well, I mean it's hopefully not huge, but there's no denying like how good a job Wandy did for us really since we got him from San Francisco. I think early in the 21 season was it. He's been super reliable. He loved playing for our team. He loved being a Yankee. Obviously fearless. You know, as you know, we haven't had a ton of left-handed pitchers and over the last year and a half where he's become a little more left on left dominant and you know, he was that guy you could go to against the other teams best lefty and you felt great about it. Really controlled the running game and just a great person and teammate. So I'm definitely sad to see him go, but also understand, you know, and happy for him that he was able to get the kind of deal that he got to, you know, obviously set up and take care of his family. And now we have, you know, some slack to pick up, you know, from a guy that's been a quality reliever for us the last few years. Another piece that Michael didn't mention in laying out sort of all the wildcards for next season is the Martian and what we'll get from Dominguez when he comes back. What are your expectations timeline wise? Have you spoken to him and how big a factor do you think he could be on this 2024 Yankee team? Yeah, Tom today, he's been down here for, for most of the off season. He actually, I think he starts throwing in, what are we, what are we here? February? February? I think he starts throwing like 10 days or two weeks. So he's doing really well. He looks great. He's in great shape. He's, he turned, he turned, uh, whopping 21 years old yesterday. Oh, wow. Yeah. So he's, uh, you know, it's just so good to see him. He's just got that easy smile and, um, he's working hard and, you know, again, I, he's gonna, he'll be back in the summer for us. I'm confident that, you know, hopefully that'll be, you know, some, uh, pretty good, uh, pretty good shot in the arm force at some point in the summer. All right. So Anthony Volpe, rookie year, wins the gold glove, did a great job defensively, showed power, showed speed, but the batting average to me, I mean, I know in this day and age batting average is not that big a deal, but I look at him and I say he's a better than 209 hitter. Is there more there? And when you mean batting average is an important, like we don't, you know, Anthony, we don't want him in 209. Like, um, I think, look, he's also an extremely young man that walked into a, you know, everyday role of shortstop and won the gold glove and did a lot of really good things, but also saw how the league is so good at attacking weaknesses and, and continuing to exploit those things. I just think Anthony has such a good makeup and such a good head on his shoulders. He's already made significant adjustments and you watch him take BP. He was one of the guys there today who's, who's been down here for, you know, months now. Like you can see the adjustments he's made in his swings to address certain holes and I'm, I'm very confident you'll see him take a, a large step forward there this year, offensively in the adjustments now that he makes to the league. You know, to try and counter some of the, some of the areas that they attacked him while hopefully continuing to, to have the same strength that he showed this year as well, offensively. What was your reaction to everything that's happened with the Orioles the last couple of weeks? Are you talking Corbin Burns here? Yeah. And then just ownership, ownership and being able to maybe now be in a position to hold on to those young players. It's now another rival in what is really an outstanding division. Yeah. Um, look, obviously they built a really, really good roster and a really good farm system. And, you know, when you, when you can tear it down and go down to the bolts and get rid of, you know, let contracts expire and, and, and nail the draft in a couple areas, they've set themselves up really nice to be, you know, to be a real team to reckon with here, not only this year, but for years to come. But, you know, that's also, that's what you kind of sign up for, especially in the American league. You know, you're, you're, you're, you know, you're going to be up against some great opponents. We feel like we can match up with them when we're right. And we'll, we look forward to that challenge of, of going up against them, but they are certainly an organization now that they've done a really good job of, of setting themselves up for some sustained success. All right. So Pakota came out with their projections this week, Aaron, and they had the Yankees, the second best team in the American league at 94 and a half wins and the Astros is to half a win more. So they have you winning the American league. Do you like what the computer spit out there? Well, if it ends up that way, sure. I mean, it's our job to make sure we handle our business. So whether, whether they pick us first, third, whatever, it's our job to go out and be the best we can be. And that's, that's where our focus really lies. I know that's kind of a corny answer, but that's as simple as that for us right now. It's, it's about gathering and when we get together here as a whole squad now and, you know, about 10 days, it's about trying to lay a foundation to be a champion. Then that's the focus. That's the message. And, you know, hopefully when we look up at the end, maybe the computers won't get on their right. We'll see. Now, you know, I'm a glass half empty guy. I get nervous about things. Aaron, I'm nervous. I'm nervous about you playing judge in center field. I mean, he's such a big guy. He's so important, not just to the team, but to baseball in general. Is he going to be able to hold up playing a lot of center field? I think so. Yeah. I feel great about it. Aaron feels good about it. You know, it makes me like consciously say I'm going to use the DH with him a little bit more when I do that. You know, but his healthiest season in the last few years was the year he played center field. And, you know, I've kind of said I'm not, he's not going to play running back. You know, it's center field. He's actually got hurt. Where he's got hurt has been some plays in right field where it's a little different. So I'm not worried about it. We're able to measure, you know, what guys, how much guys are moving and, you know, when they get in any kind of a danger zone. And I do feel like hopefully the DH will kind of, you know, give him those days where I feel like I need to get him off his feet a little bit. But, you know, it's also, I go back, it's early February too. And there's still a lot to happen between now and even opening day and beyond that, you know, could keep that very fluid. But I am planning on playing him. If everyone's healthy, a lot at least in center. What happened to the Eagles? Oh, wow. He went right in. He went there. I'm not, I'm not gloating. My team was God awful. I'm curious to figure out what happened. I don't know. I, you know, I, I mean, I've never seen a team with pretty good health like fall off a cliff like they did. Like, I don't know. You know, I think team started just like blueprint of getting the ball out. So it kind of neutralized their pass rush, which became really a non-factor in the second half. I think their linebacker and safety play was definitely a significant notch below where it was the year before. But, but how much they could not, I mean, they were awful defense at the end. I mean, it's simple. They couldn't get off the field. I mean, third and 11 wasn't safe. It was, and for a team that was like a, you know, Super Bowl type defense, it was a headscarf. It's kind of a bummer, obviously, the way it ended for him. Yeah, we, you and I texted the night of that playoff game. I've never seen a playoff team play with that poor in effort. And they had the perfect draw too. That was the game. That was it. Yeah. Have you felt any juice for the, the Super Bowl this week? We were talking earlier. The three of us are just like not feeling super stoked about this Kansas City San Francisco. We believe it could be a good game. Just not feeling a lot of juice right now. Yeah, I do think it is a great game. You know, I think it's two great teams or at least, you know, Niners with an amazing roster in the homes. And I think the underrated thing about this whole thing is the Chiefs defense. I mean, the Chiefs have a, I think a great, great defense. And it's why they're probably here. Obviously, the homes is amazing, you know, but their defense this year is what kind of sustained them all year. They've been, they've been great. So yeah, I'll be excited for it. But, you know, I'm not a fan of the 49ers. Right. Yeah. I'm always got pulling for, I know Andy really well. So I actually texted with them after they won their championship game. So I always have interest when Andy reads doing it. So a pick now or a gift tomorrow? Well, what do you want, Don? I want a gift tomorrow. He wants a gift. Yeah, it's kind of our thing. He's waiting for the gift. Because you got great gift game. You really do. I mean, it's really cool what you do every week. So I look forward to that. I've already, I've already settled in on my, my score prediction and my team prediction. So I'll, I'll fire your way sometime tomorrow in the late afternoon. Am I, am I wrong in assuming that you probably use gifts a lot with your kids and they make fun of you for how much you do it? You know, a lot of people are always, I use, I'm a, I'm a, I'm a heavy use of the gift really with anything. You guys, as you know, my kids, people that you wouldn't necessarily think I'm sending a gift. So I like that. I use a lot. I've got, I just got a great, I just came up with a great idea. You're going to talk to the team when they all get there. You should give a win one for the giffer, you know, motivational speech. What do you think? Do you send gifts to the players? Oh, for sure he does. Yeah. Oh yeah. But that's how you can figure out like the order here of like who is really like a washed up boomer. Like you seem old to the players, but you seem cool to Don. That's how old Don is. Wow. That's so true. One final thing before I let you go. I know how competitive you are. I mean you're competitive about everything. How much did 82 and 80 rub you the wrong way all winter? Made the winter tougher. I mean, right. But I also, you know, I also know we weren't that at any point, you know, I just never, we never got it right. You know, and I think early on we were winning games and I actually would turn the Mendy every night and because early on, like into the first second month, we're winning games or that five to 10 over 500. And it was like, man, we just kept saying we needed to hang on until like Rodan, Nestor, savvy or back because we're kind of piecing it together so much in the starting location. But we're playing winning ball winning games and then judge you went down. We just couldn't couldn't get it going offensively to sustain it. And then, you know, kind of Nestor and savvy and Carlos never kind of got on track for us and and really just offensively we couldn't we couldn't do it like we needed to. And, you know, one thing we did, we're able to do to kind of hang in there just to keep it at that was we're able to close out games and we're in the but we're in so many kind of that low mid scoring range. So we're never, you know, we're in barbers all the time. So the games we're supposed to win, we're kind of able to hang on to those but just couldn't find enough traction consistently offensively and and then behind Garrett, you know, struggle to get that consistency in the rotation and, you know, hopefully we'll do that a better job of that. And the bottom line is we got to find ways when it's not because inevitable you're going to have adversity in the season. You're going to have injuries, you know, you hope less less than more. But when you do have those injuries, you got to find ways to still win ball games and still, you know, have somebody step up or have a part of your team step up and we just weren't able to do that well enough last year. So you know, it's part of it's part of the, you know, part of being a pro sports like it doesn't always go exactly how you want it to. And you got to keep grinding away and keep fighting and and try and figure out ways to make sure you're better equipped to handle, you know, those those inevitable, you know, when you're when you're missing, missing some TPs, you got to find a way to do that better. And I do feel like we're set up to hopefully withstand some inevitable pumps that hit us this year. Well, great stuff. Aaron, thank you for giving us this half hour. Good luck in spring training in the season. I'll see you next week. But we expect your gift tomorrow. That should be fun. Awesome. Take care, guys. Thanks, Aaron. That's Aaron Boone, Yankee Manager.